Eye coloring systems

ABSTRACT

A novel system for coloring tissues of the human eye, especially methods of coloring the iris, includes drying the tissue surface, applying colorant to the dried surface, and then drying the applied colorant. The system avoids tattooing, implanting, and corneal modification. Permanent results may be obtained. Colorants may be coatings or stains.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/167,946 filed Jul. 3, 2008 by the same inventor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems (methods, apparatuses, andtheir relationships) for changing the color of the eye, perhapspermanently, for cosmetic purposes. It is not related to tattooing or toimplants, nor to modifications of the cornea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The human eye is a generally spherical structure, or eyeball, of aliving tissue called “sclera,” which is normally white. An opening inthe front of the eye, called a pupil, permits entry of light into theeyeball, through the lens of the eye and onto the retina. The size ofthe pupil is controlled by an iris, which has a natural color. Whenreference to a person's eye color is made in day-to-day conversation, itis normally the color of the iris that is referred to. In front of thepupil and iris is the cornea.

An attempt at eye coloration that was widely reported involved eyetattooing, in which, with some 40 needle pricks, a blue ink wasintroduced into the subconjunctival space of the eye for purposes ofbody ornamentation. The methodology was dangerous and the results arestill not completely known. That is, reports of whether or not the eyetattoo volunteer went blind are pending.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,466 was issued to Moncada on Aug. 11, 1998 for anEYE COLOR HIGHLIGHTING CONTACT LENS that features a contact lens withpatterns of colored radial lines outside a central clear circular area.The contact lens is removable.

Several patents have been issued for surgical contrast colorationmethods that assist the surgeon in visualizing tissues of eye. U.S. Pat.No. 6,306,127 was issued to Homer on Oct. 23, 2001 for a METHOD OFALTERATION OF IRIS PIGMENTATION that features using laser beams ofvarious frequencies to destroy selected pigments in the iris and therebychange the color of the iris. U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,526 was issued toSnyder, et al., on Feb. 17, 2004 for a OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SURGERY COLORANTAND DELIVERY SYSTEM that features the use of a temporary, selectivelyadministered, contrast stain in retinal and cataract surgery to aid thesurgeon in distinguishing various tissues of the eye. U.S. Pat. No.6,367,480 issued to Coroneo on Apr. 9, 2002 for METHODS FOR VISUALIZINGTHE ANTERIOR LENS CAPSULE OF THE HUMAN EYE features use of trypan bluefor enhanced visualization of the anterior lens capsule during cataractsurgery. U.S. Pat. No. 6,372.449 issued to Coroneo on Apr. 16, 2002 forOPHTHALMIC METHODS AND USES features the use of trypan blue to identifymembranes and structures within the eye. U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,769 issuedto Holmen on Mar. 18, 2003 for METHOD FOR USE IN CATARACT SURGERYfeatures the use of active agents to destroy epithelial cells duringcataract surgery and provides for a dye accompanying the active agentsto assist the surgeon in visualizing the active agents duringintroduction and subsequent removal of the active agents and the dye.The existing surgical methods are primarily focused on enhancing thesurgeon's ability of visualize the tissues, are short term methods, andare not directed towards cosmetic surgery. Colored implants are known ineye surgery (see US20060036318 A1 to Foulkes published Feb. 16, 2006 andU.S. Pat. No. 7,037,337 B2 to Carriazo May 2, 2006). Staining a corneain a healthy eye is also known (WO1995003017 to Robbins, et al.,published Feb. 2, 1995). Surgical contrast staining is discussed inmedical literature, such as Jacobs, et al., “Capsule Staining as anAdjunct to Cataract Surgery” Ophthalmology, Volume 113, Number 4, April2006.

The inventor, an ophthalmologic surgeon, has recognized a need for animproved cosmetic eye coloring system that does not introduce the risksof eye tattooing, implanting, or corneal modification. In order to meetthose needs, and to solve related problems, the inventor has developedthe novel eye coloring system of the present invention.

OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide aneye coloring system that will be safe. A further primary object andfeature of the present invention is to provide such a system thatenables coloring of the sclera, the surfaces of the conjunctiva, theanterior surface of the iris, as well as the safe coloring of thesubconjunctival space. A further primary object and feature of thepresent invention is to provide such a system that does not includelasers, implants, or corneal modification. Other objects and features ofthis invention will become apparent with reference to the followingdescriptions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this inventionprovides A method for coloring of a surface of an eye tissue includingthe steps of: drying the surface of such eye tissue to be colored;applying a colorant to at least a portion of the dried surface of sucheye tissue to be colored; and drying the colorant on the at least theportion of the dried surface of such eye tissue to be colored. Themethod, further including a step of distributing the colorant in apredetermined pattern when applying the colorant. The method, furtherincluding the step of applying a plurality of colorants after the stepof applying the colorant. The method, further including predecessorsteps of: anesthetizing such eye with at least one of a topicalanesthetic, a retro bulbar anesthesia, and a peribulbar anesthesia;securing such eyelids in a spaced-apart relationship using an eyelidspeculum; and providing additional magnification of a portion of sucheye tissue to be colored. The method, where the eye tissue to be coloredincludes an iris, the method further including further predecessor stepsof: constricting a pupil of such eye using one of a pre-operative mioticand an intra-operative miotic; making first and second incisions intothe anterior chamber of such eye on opposite sides of the cornea of sucheye; removing residual aqueous from the angle of the anterior chamberproximate such edge of such pupil using a cannula, while avoiding damageto other intraocular structures; and inflating such anterior chamberwith a blowing gas. The method, further including successor steps of:exchanging the blowing gas with balanced salt solution; providingintraocular pressure in the physiologic range; applying at least one ofantibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops to such eye; and removing theeyelid speculum. The method, where the step of providing intraocularpressure is accomplished with a single cannula. The method, where thestep of exchanging the blowing gas with balanced salt solution isaccomplished with a single cannula. The method, further includingsuccessor steps of: applying at least one of antibiotic andanti-inflammatory drops to such eye; and removing the eyelid speculum.The method, where the colorant is sterile. The method, where thecoloring is a sterile procedure.

A method of coloring an iris including the steps of: accessing suchiris; drying a portion of such iris of such eye by concurrently infusinga blowing gas and aspirating the blowing gas at a rate the maintainsinflation of such eye but does not over-inflate such eye; applyingcolorant to such iris of such eye; drying the applied colorant; closingthe access to such iris. The method of coloring an iris, whereconcurrently infusing a blowing gas and aspirating the blowing gas isaccomplished with a single cannula. The method of coloring an iris,where the step of accessing such iris includes: anesthetizing such eyewith at least one of a topical anesthetic, a retro bulbar anesthesia,and a peribulbar anesthesia; securing such eyelids in a spaced-apartrelationship using an eyelid speculum; providing additionalmagnification of a portion of such iris to be colored; constricting thepupil of such eye using one of a pre-operative miotic and anintra-operative miotic; making first and second incisions into theanterior chamber of such eye on opposite sides of the cornea of sucheye; and removing residual aqueous from the angle of the anteriorchamber proximate such edge of such pupil using a cannula, whileavoiding damage to other intraocular structures. The method of coloringan iris where the concurrently infusing a blowing gas and aspirating theblowing gas is accomplished with a single cannula through one of thefirst incision and the second incision. The method of coloring an iris,where the step of closing such access to such iris includes the stepsof: exchanging the blowing gas with balanced salt solution; providingintraocular pressure in the physiologic range; applying at least one ofantibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops to such eye; and removing theeyelid speculum.

A method of coloring the iris including the steps of: anesthetizing sucheye with at least one of a topical anesthetic, a retro bulbaranesthesia, and a peribulbar anesthesia; securing such eyelids in aspaced-apart relationship using an eyelid speculum; providing additionalmagnification of a portion of such iris to be colored; constricting thepupil of such eye using one of a pre-operative miotic and anintra-operative miotic; making first and second incisions into theanterior chamber of such eye on opposite sides of the cornea of sucheye; removing residual aqueous from the angle of the anterior chamberproximate such edge of such pupil using a cannula, while avoiding damageto other intraocular structures; drying a portion of such iris of sucheye by concurrently infusing a blowing gas and aspirating the blowinggas at a rate the maintains inflation of such eye but does notover-inflate such eye; applying colorant to such iris of such eye;drying the applied colorant; exchanging the blowing gas with balancedsalt solution; providing intraocular pressure in the physiologic range;applying antibiotic or anti-inflammatory drops to such eye; removing theeyelid speculum. The method, where the step of accessing such irisincludes inflation of a space between such iris and an anterior chamber.The method, where the inflation uses a mixture of gases. The method,where the concurrently infusing a blowing gas and aspirating the blowinggas is accomplished with a single cannula through one of the firstincision and the second incision.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation cross-sectional view illustrating relevantportions of an eye as a reference;

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an improvedeye-coloring system, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofcoloring the external surface of the conjunctiva as part of an improvedeye-coloring system, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofsuspending colorant in the subconjunctival space as part of an improvedeye-coloring system, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofcoloring the sclera as part of an improved eye-coloring system,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofcoloring the iris as part of an improved eye-coloring system, accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary generalmethod of coloring a surface of the eye as part of an improvedeye-coloring system, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method ofcoloring the internal surface of the conjunctiva as part of an improvedeye-coloring system, according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THEINVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation cross-sectional view illustrating relevantportions of an eye 100 as a reference. The front of the eye 100 issurrounded by the conjunctiva 102, which covers the cornea 108 and thesclera 104. Between the conjunctiva 102 and the sclera 104 or cornea 108is the subconjunctival space 103. Normally, the subconjunctival space103 is very narrow and contains a thin layer of fluid. Behind the cornea108 lies the anterior chamber 110, normally filled with an aqueoushumour. The iris 112 is a sphincter surrounding the pupil 118. The iris112 regulates the amount of light that moves through the pupil 118 tothe lens 114. Lens 114 is encapsulated and the capsule is suspended inplace by the suspensory ligaments 116. The suspensory ligaments 116 andthe iris 112 are maintained in position by the ciliary body 120. Theposterior chamber 122 is located behind the iris 112. Just beyond thecornea 108 and near the ciliary body 120 is the trabecular meshwork 124.

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an improvedeye-coloring system 200, according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The step 202 includes providing necessary materialsand instruments for the following steps. Depending on the method 300,400, 500, 600, or 800 to be followed, the following materials andinstruments may be needed: topical anesthetic eye drops; injectableophthalmic anesthesia; intraocular miotic; pilocarpine eye drops;antibiotic eye drops; anti-inflammatory eye drops; cotton tipapplicators; ophthalmic operating microscope; surgical loupes; eyelidspeculum; ocular sponges; sterile gauzes; compressed gas, commerciallyavailable tank or handheld can; coloring agents, various types; paintbrush; ophthalmic lacrimal probe(s); syringes; needles, various sizes;ocular cannulas, various sizes; ophthalmic scissors; ophthalmic forceps;ophthalmic sutures, various sizes and materials; ophthalmic cautery,various kinds; surgical glue; sterile ophthalmic drape; cataract removalmachine (phacoemulsification (“phaco”) machine); sterile tubing forabove machine; infusion/aspiration probe for above machine; and balancedsalt solution. Following step 202, any one particular step 300, 400,500, 600, or 800, or any combination of two or more of steps 300, 400,500, 600, or 800, may be performed. Each of these steps 300, 400, 500,600, or 800 will be described in more detail below. Step 700 is ageneralization of the surface-coloring steps 300, 500, 600, and 800.Some inadvertent surface coloring may occur in step 400. Surfacecoloring may include surface coating. Step 204 includes equipmentcleaning, disposal of surgical waste, putting away unused portions ofcolorant, and other steps needed to secure the medical facility andprovide post-surgical care for the patient.

FIG. 3 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300of coloring the external surface of the conjunctiva 102 as part of animproved eye-coloring system 200, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Step 302 includes identification of the area ofthe external surface of the conjunctiva 102 to be colored, selection ofany pattern that may be used, and selection of the colors to be used.Step 302 may also include testing for allergic reaction to any of thecolorants selected. In step 304, the eye 100 is anesthetized in waysknown in the art of ophthalmic surgery. Minimally intrusive anestheticmethods are preferred, but consideration of patient allergies andsensitivities is also important. Preferably, a topical anesthetic, suchas tetracaine 1% is used in step 304. A deeper anesthesia may bedeveloped by soaking a cotton-tipped applicator and then placing thesoaked swab in contact with the conjunctiva 102 for a time. In step 306,the eyelids are secured in an open, or spaced apart, position using aneyelid speculum.

The selected portion of the surface of the conjunctiva 102 is dried instep 308, using a sponge or blown dry gas. The dry gas may be a singlegas, such as nitrogen, or a mixture of gasses, such as air. In step 310,sterile colorant is applied to the dried external surface of theconjunctiva 102. Application of the sterile colorant may be by any typeof applicator including, without limitation, droppers, swabs, brushes,pens, and sprayers. A stencil may be used during step 310. Colorants,because they are being introduced to the eye 100, are preferablysterile. In step 312, the colorant is dried on the external surface ofthe conjunctiva 102. Step 312 may include removing excess colorant bysponge and then using blown dry gas to dry the colorant. Once thecolorant has dried 312, the eyelids are released by removal of theeyelid speculum in step 314. Antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory dropsmay be given in step 316 either after the eyelid speculum is removed, asshown, or before the eyelid speculum is removed. Step 318 may include aperiod of observation for any sensitivity, and verification thateyesight has not been impaired.

Those of skill in the art, enlightened by the present disclosure, willappreciate that various colorants may be applied to various portions ofthe external surface of the conjunctiva 102 to form patterns. Likewise,those of skill in the art, enlightened by the present disclosure, willappreciate that the colorants may be permanent, such as inks used intattooing, or temporary, such as food coloring.

The method 300 of the present invention is novel as compared to eyetattooing, in that it requires no penetrations of the conjunctiva 102.The method 300 of the present invention is novel as compared to surgicalcontrast dying in that method 300 may be permanent and is cosmetic.

FIG. 4 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 400of suspending colorant in the subconjunctival space 103 as part of animproved eye-coloring system 200, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Step 402 includes identification of the area ofthe external surface of the conjunctiva 102 to be colored, selection ofany pattern that may be used, and selection of the colors to be used.Step 402 may also include testing for allergic reaction to any of thecolorants selected. In step 304, the eye 100 is anesthetized in waysdescribed above. In step 306, the eyelids are secured in an openposition using an eyelid speculum. In step 404, the sterile colorantsolution is prepared by, for example, dilution with a balanced saltsolution to achieve the desired color saturation. The prepared colorantis drawn into a syringe in step 406 having an approximately 30-gaugeneedle and slowly injected into the subconjunctival space 103 at asingle site in step 408. While the colorant is being injected, pressureis applied 410 with a cotton-tipped applicator or equivalent, topressure the prepared colorant solution to move within thesubconjunctival space 103 to spread the colorant solution completelythrough the subconjunctival space 103 or to form a pattern in thesubconjunctival space 103. The steps 404, 406, 408, and 410 may berepeated for various colors in the course of one step 400. Once thecolorant has been positioned, the eyelids are released by removal of theeyelid speculum in step 314. Antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory dropsmay be given in step 316 either after the eyelid speculum is removed, asshown, or before the eyelid speculum is removed. Step 412 may include aperiod of observation for any sensitivity, and verification thateyesight has not been impaired. Subconjunctival space 103 is anintraocular space.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that suspending colorant inthe subconjunctival space 103 may cause coloration of the internalsurface of the conjunctiva 102 and of the outer surface of the sclera104. If the colorant used contains various pigments that are taken updifferentially by the internal surface of the conjunctiva 102 and theouter surface of the sclera 104, interesting results may be obtained. Ina particular embodiment of the method, a first colored pattern may beestablished in the subconjunctival space 103 as a background, and asecond colored pattern may be established on the external surface of theconjunctiva 102 as a foreground image, with the combination producingstriking results. For example, and without limitation, a sun-ray patternin gold, with smooth reflective particles in the gold colorant may beestablished in the subconjunctival space 103 and a pale blue colorantmay be established on the external surface of the conjunctiva 102,creating one visual effect (from the perspective of another) in brightlight and another visual effect in dim light. Those of skill in the artof color overlays, enlightened by this disclosure, will appreciate thevast number of overlay patterns that may be achieved on the human eye100.

The method 400 of the present invention is novel as compared to eyetattooing, in that it requires only one needle insertion for eachcolored area, and not the 40 needle insertions used in tattooing. Themethod 400 of the present invention is novel as compared to surgicalcontrast dying in that method 400 may be permanent and is cosmetic.

FIG. 5 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 500of coloring the sclera 104 as part of an improved eye-coloring system200, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Step502 includes identification of the area of the external surface of thesclera 104 to be colored, selection of any pattern that may be used, andselection of the colors to be used. Step 502 may also include testingfor allergic reaction to any of the colorants selected. In step 304, theeye 100 is anesthetized in ways described above. In some embodiments,standard retro bulbar or peribulbar anesthesia may be used similar toother eye surgeries. In step 306, the eyelids are secured in an openposition using an eyelid speculum. In step 504, the physician employs asurgical microscope to more precisely observe steps 506, 508, 509, 312,and 510. In step 506, the conjunctiva 102 is dissected to expose theportion of the surface of the sclera 104 to be colored. Step 506 may beaccomplished using Westcot scissors with forceps or equivalent surgicaltechnique. In step 508, the surface of the sclera 104 to be colored isdried, using a sponge or blown dry gas. In step 509, sterile colorant isapplied to the dried surface of the sclera 104 and then the colorant isdried in step 312, as discussed more fully above. After the colorant hasdried 509, the conjunctiva 102 is closed 510 over the site or sitesusing standard ophthalmic techniques, such as suturing, cautery, medicalglue, and the like. Once the conjunctiva 102 has been closed 510, theeyelids are released by removal of the eyelid speculum in step 314.Antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory drops may be given in step 316either after the eyelid speculum is removed, as shown, or before theeyelid speculum is removed 314. Step 512 includes all steps necessary toverify the finished procedure and to secure the surgical environment. Acolorant may be a stain or a surface coating.

Those of skill in the art, enlightened by the present invention, willappreciate the vast number of combinations of techniques that may beemployed. For example, and without limitation, a colored background orpattern may be first established on the sclera 104 using method 500.After the sclera 104 has healed, a colorant that is at least partiallytransparent but which contains smooth reflective particles may besuspended in the subconjunctival space 103 using method 400, and acolored pattern may be established on the front surface of theconjunctiva 102 to provide a decorative cosmetic effect.

The method 500 is novel as compared to eye tattooing because the methodof coloring the sclera 500 disclosed herein does not require penetrationof the sclera 108.

FIG. 6 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 600of coloring the iris 112 as part of an improved eye-coloring system 200,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Step 602includes identification of the area of the external surface of the iris112 to be colored, selection of any pattern that may be used, andselection of the colors to be used. Step 602 may also include testingfor allergic reaction to any of the colorants selected. In step 304, theeye 100 is anesthetized in ways discussed above, including standardretro bulbar or peribulbar anesthesia. In step 306, the eyelids aresecured in an open position using an eyelid speculum. In step 604, asurgical microscope or surgical loupe is used to provide magnification.In step 606, the pupil 118 is constricted. Preferably, the pupil 118 isconstricted pre-operatively with pilocarpine drops. In an alternativeembodiment of the method 600, an interoperative miotic, such as Miocholis used for step 606. In step 608, first and second incisions are madeinto the anterior chamber 110 on opposite sides of the cornea 108. Anair bubble or dry gas is injected into the anterior chamber 110 todisplace the aqueous humour, which is removed 610 from the angle of theanterior chamber 110 and near the edge of pupil 118 using a small gaugecannula. Care is exercised to avoid damage to other intraocularstructures such as the lens 114, the cornea 108, and trabecular meshwork124. Anterior chamber 110 is an intraocular space.

In step 612, the anterior chamber 110 is inflated with blown gas that isinfused and aspirated to maintain a constant but not distendinginflation of the anterior chamber 110. A single infusion/aspiration(I/A) cannula is preferred. In other embodiments, a two-cannula approach(one for infusion, the other for aspiration) may be used.

In step 613, the surface of the iris 112 is dried. To accomplish drying613 of the iris 112, a probe, or cannula, similar to those used toinfuse and aspirate fluid in cataract surgery, is used to infuse dry gasinto the anterior chamber 110 and to aspirate the dry gas at the sametime. The flow rates of infusion and aspiration are regulated tomaintain inflation of the anterior chamber 110. A phaco machine, knownin the art of ophthalmic surgery, is used to provide concurrent infusionand aspiration of gas with a single cannula in either incision. Inanother embodiment, the supply of dry gas may come from a commerciallyavailable tank, through a regulator coupled to the tank. In an alternateembodiment, two cannula may be used through said first and secondincisions. Standard tubing may be used to connect the gas supply to theprobe in the eye 100. Over-inflation of the anterior chamber 110, aswell as under inflation of the anterior chamber 110, is to be avoided.The probe is manipulated with one hand to aim the blowing dry gas ontothe surface to be colored and, thereby, to dry that surface. The drying613 is done only to the extent that is required, in the physician'sjudgment, to limit the colorant from running when applied 614 to thesurface. Drying 613 should not desiccate or damage the iris 112.

A colorant may be a stain or a surface coating.

In step 614, the colorant is applied to at least a portion of the driedsurface of the iris 112. Preferably, a probe (for example, a lacrimalprobe) is held in the surgeon's other hand and used to apply 614 thesterile colorant to the surface of the iris 112. In various otherembodiments, various types of probes that are operable to apply sterilecolorant to the surface of the iris may be used. The gas infusion probeis used to dry the colorant, in step 616, immediately after it isapplied. The drying of the colorant 616 is done only to the extent thatis required, in the physician's judgment, to limit the colorant fromrunning when the anterior chamber is filled 618 with balanced saltsolution. Once the colorant is applied and dried, the probe is removed.The gas in the eye 100 is gently exchanged 618 with balanced saltsolution to maintain inflation of the anterior chamber 110, preferablyusing a single cannula. The intraocular pressure is maintained 620 andfinally established in the correct physiologic range, preferably with asingle cannula. In step 622 antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory dropsare placed on the eye 100, and the eyelids are released in step 624 byremoving the eyelid speculum.

Those of skill in the art, enlightened by the present invention, willappreciate the coloring and patterning schemes that may be used on aniris 112, and many practical, as well as decoratively cosmetic, purposesfor this invention. Those of skill in the art, enlightened by thepresent invention, will appreciate that the infusion and aspirationtechnique described for coloring the iris 112 is an alternate techniquefor coloring the inside surface of the conjunctiva 102 and/or theoutside surface of the sclera 104, by inflating the subconjunctivalspace 103 and applying colorant to the interior of the inflated area.

Steps 304 and 306 are generic predecessor steps to various eye-coloringmethods 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800. Step 604 may be used in othermethods 300, 400, 500, 700, and 800, as needed. Steps 606, 608, 610 and612 are specific predecessor steps to coloring the iris 600. Steps 613,614, and 616 are essential steps for the coloring the iris 600 and, ingeneric form, are essential to eye coloring methods 300, 500, 600, 700,and 800. Steps 618 and 620 are successor steps specific to coloring theiris 600. Steps 622 and 624 are successor steps generic to multipleeye-coloring methods 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800.

Method 600 is novel as compared to eye tattooing because the method ofcoloring iris 600 disclosed herein does not require penetration of theiris 112.

FIG. 7 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary generalmethod 700 of coloring a surface of the eye 100 as part of an improvedeye-coloring system 200, according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The coloration of any eye surface begins withpreparatory step 702, which subsumes the preparatory steps 302, 502,602, and 802. Steps 304 perform the same function throughout, althoughthere are different specific techniques for different levels ofinvasiveness of the procedure. Steps 306 are the same throughout,although none require any particular model or type of eyelid speculum.Each method 300, 400, 500, 600, and 800 requires gaining surgical access704 to the surface to be colored. The complexity of this step varieswith the method 300, 400, 500, 600, or 800, but all methods requiregaining access 704. In each method 300, 500, 600, and 800, the surfaceto be colored must be dried 706. In method 400, a portion of thecolorant may adhere to the interior surface of the conjunctiva 102 andto the outer surface of the sclera 104. In any event, the facingsurfaces of the sclera 104 and conjunctiva 102 are accessed in method400 even if only to create the subconjunctival space 103 that holds thecolorant. Step 706 subsumes various drying techniques, including thosedescribed above relating to steps 308, 508, 612, and 804 such as blowngas, sponge, or blotter techniques. Step 706 is not used in method 400.Step 708 subsumes steps 310 (used in method 300, 500, and 800) and 614,as well as various additional application techniques appropriate to thisinvention. Step 710 subsumes steps 312 (used in method 300, 500, and800) and 616, as well as various additional colorant drying techniquesappropriate to this invention. In step 712, access to the surface isclosed. Step 712 subsumes steps 314, 510, 618 & 620, and 806, as well asvarious additional closure techniques appropriate to this invention.Step 316 performs the same function throughout methods 300, 400, 500,600, and 800, although the particular type, composition, andconcentration of antibiotic drops or anti-inflammatory drops may vary.Step 314 performs the same function throughout methods 300, 400, 500,600, and 800. Step 710 has the same function as steps 318, 412, 512,626, and 804, although the particulars may vary.

Method 700 is novel as compared to eye tattooing because the colorant isapplied to a surface, rather than injected.

FIG. 8 shows a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 800of coloring the internal surface of the conjunctiva 102 as part of animproved eye-coloring system 200, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Preparatory step 802 is similar to thepreparations in step 502, with the possible exception of the selectionof colorant type. Steps 304 and 306 are discussed above under method500. In step 504, magnification is provided for improving visualizationof the site. In step 506, the conjunctiva 102 is dissected and laid opento show its underside. The surface of the underside of the conjunctiva102 is dried, in step 804, using blown dry gas or a sponge. In step 805,sterile colorant is applied to the interior, or underside, surface ofthe conjunctiva 102. The colorant is then dried in step 312, usinggently blown dry gas and optionally, a sponge or blotter. Theconjunctiva 102 is closed in step 806, using known surgical closures.Steps 314 and step 316 are as previously described. The method ends withstep 808, which may include verification of the patient's eyesight andsecuring the surgical environment. A colorant may be a stain or asurface coating.

Method 800 is an improvement over eye tattooing because it enablescoloring only the interior surface of the conjunctiva 102 and does notrequire 40 needle insertions.

All of the methods 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are improvementsover surgical contrast coloring because surgical contrast coloring isnot permanent, patterned, or cosmetic. All of the methods 300, 400, 500,600, 700, and 800 are distinct from tattooing an ossified cornea 108,because the methods 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 can be used on eyes100 that are not blind and do not modify the cornea 108. All of themethods 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are preferably sterileprocedures and are steps of improved eye-coloring system 200. The stepsof each method 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are preferably used incombination and in order to achieve the desired results. Each method300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 engages colorant on natural surfaces ofthe eye 100 and none require destruction or removal of eye tissues.

Although the present inventor has described his preferred embodiments ofthis invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of thisinvention includes modifications such as variations in the patterns andcolors as well as some variation in ophthalmic surgical equipment andsupplies. For example, and without limitation, the teachings of thisdisclosure may be applied to mammalian eyes generally. Likewise, theteachings of this disclosure may be applied for cosmetic surgery torecover normal appearance lost to accident or diseases of the eye.Further, the teachings of this disclosure may be applied toidentification markings, such as may be colored onto the conjunctiva 102inside the lower eyelid. Such scope is limited only by the below claimsas read in connection with the above specification. Further, many otheradvantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from the above descriptions and the below claims.

1. A method of coloring an iris comprising the steps of: a. accessingsuch iris; b. drying a portion of such iris of such eye by concurrentlyinfusing a blowing gas and aspirating said blowing gas at a rate themaintains inflation of such eye but does not over-inflate such eye; c.applying colorant to said dried portion of such iris of such eye; d.drying said applied colorant; and e. closing said access to such iris.2. The method of coloring an iris of claim 1, wherein said concurrentlyinfusing a blowing gas and aspirating said blowing gas is accomplishedwith a single cannula.
 3. The method of coloring an iris of claim 1,wherein said step of accessing such iris comprises: a. anesthetizingsuch eye with at least one of a topical anesthetic, a retro bulbaranesthesia, and a peribulbar anesthesia; b. securing such eyelids in aspaced-apart relationship using an eyelid speculum; c. providingadditional magnification of a portion of such iris to be colored; d.constricting the pupil of such eye using one of a pre-operative mioticand an intra-operative miotic; e. making first and second incisions intothe anterior chamber of such mammalian eye on opposite sides of thecornea of such eye; and f. removing residual aqueous from the angle ofthe anterior chamber proximate such edge of such pupil using a cannula,while avoiding damage to other intraocular structures.
 4. The method ofcoloring an iris of claim 3, wherein said concurrently infusing ablowing gas and aspirating said blowing gas is accomplished with asingle cannula through one of said first incision and said secondincision.
 5. The method of coloring an iris of claim 1, wherein saidstep of closing such access to such iris comprises the steps of: a.exchanging said blowing gas with balanced salt solution; b. providingintraocular pressure in the physiologic range; c. applying at least oneof antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops to such eye; and d. removingsaid eyelid speculum.
 6. A method of coloring the iris comprising thesteps of: a. anesthetizing such eye with at least one of a topicalanesthetic, a retro bulbar anesthesia, and a peribulbar anesthesia; b.securing such eyelids in a spaced-apart relationship using an eyelidspeculum; c. providing additional magnification of a portion of suchiris to be colored; d. constricting the pupil of such eye using one of apre-operative miotic and an intra-operative miotic; e. making first andsecond incisions into the anterior chamber of such eye on opposite sidesof the cornea of such eye; f. removing residual aqueous from the angleof the anterior chamber proximate such edge of such pupil using acannula, while avoiding damage to other intraocular structures; g.drying a portion of such iris of such eye by concurrently infusing ablowing gas and aspirating said blowing gas at a rate the maintainsinflation of such eye but does not over-inflate such eye; h. applyingcolorant to said dried portion of such iris of such eye; i. drying saidapplied colorant; j. exchanging said blowing gas with balanced saltsolution; k. providing intraocular pressure in the physiologic range; l.applying at least one of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops to sucheye; and m. removing said eyelid speculum.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein said step of accessing such iris comprises inflation of a spacebetween such iris and an anterior chamber.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein said inflation uses a mixture of gases.
 9. The method of claim6, wherein said concurrently infusing a blowing gas and aspirating saidblowing gas is accomplished with a single cannula through one of saidfirst incision and said second incision.